Steam-turbine.



PATENTED MAY 12, 1903.

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STEAM TURBINE 7 APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H0 MODEL.

PATENTED MAY- 12, 1903.

3 BHEETSSH'EET 2.

F. D. SHEPHERD. STEAM TURBINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JI TNE 23, 1902. v

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N0 MODEL.

lllfl w n PATENTED MAY 12, 1903. E. D. SHEPHERD. STEAM TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2- 8 SHBETS-SHEET 3.

170 MODEL.

* m Z EEEWE fianges,which together form a base for mount-v .tion on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

tail view in perspective of one'of the inlet NITED TATES Patented May 12, 1903.

PATENT OFF CE.

STEA M -TLlRBlN-E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent N o. 728,138, dated May 12, 1903. l'lpplicationilled an. 23, 1902. Serial No. 112,911. (No model.)

To all whom it may concerit:

Be it known that I, FRANK D. SHEPHERD, of Salt Lake City, in the county of SaltLake, and

in the State of Utah, have inventedhertain: new and useful Improvements in Steam-Tub bines; and I do hereby declare that the fol-Z lowing is a full, clear, and exactldescription thereof, reference being had to the accompa nying drawings, in which- Y Figure 1 is a side elevation of asteam=turloine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. cal longitudinal section of the turbine. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a'detail view in cross-section onathe line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

port-blocks, and Fig. 8 is a detail view showing in perspective one of. the high-pressure piston-blades and one ofthe low-pressure pis-l ton-blades.

The object of my invention is to provide a; simple, efficient, and economical engine or motor of the rotary type, andto such end my invention consists in the engine having the construction substantially as hereinafter specified and claimed. r

In the embodiment offmy invention I have selected for illustration I construct'the body: of the engine of sections, preferablythree, two similar end ones A and'A and a middle; one B, that are firmly secured together by parallel rods 0, that run through alining; holes in the sections and on their ends have nuts D. On the bottom of each section, except on the sides where the sections abut, are

ing and securing the engine to its bed. Each of the sections has a horizontal cylindrical opening or chamber through it, and at each end of the body to close the opening thereat is a head E, that is held in place by the rods 0 and. the nuts D. To secure steam-tight joints between therabutting surfaces of the sections and heads, complementary ribs and grooves are formed on their adjacent surfaces and a thin sheet of packing is placed between a rib and its groove, the latter being made slightly deeper than its rib to receive the packing.

Concentric with and passing through the Fig. 3 is a verti- Fig. 6 is a horizontal sec-i Fig. 7 is a dei cylinders which the sections form is a shaft F, havingbearings in the two heads E and E- and inlthe'packing of stuffing-boxes e and e of usual construction on the respective heads. Keyed to the shaft at a point midway between the'ends of the middle section or cylinder Bis a disk G, that forms a divisionwall orpartition, and on each side of said disk is a series of disks or collars H, as shown, three, from the periphery of each of which radiates aseries of blades 71, their outer ends reaching to the interior surface of the cylinder, said disks or collarsbeing likewise keyed to the shaft and separated or spacedapart by collars I. On theshaft between'irhe end disk H of each series and thecylind'e'r-h'ead adjacent thertois a sleeve K; its end next the disk being preferably flanged or enlarged in diameter to about that of the disk. A setscrew lcse'rves to fix the position of the sleeve on the shaft, and between the two sleeves the disks andgcollars are confined or held against movement along the shaft. A single long keyfis used to fix all of the disks and collars on the shaftF, and its length is such that its ends do not project beyond the end disk H, so that the sleeves K will abut against said enddisk H, and thereby all of the disks and collars bemainjtained in proper position on the sha'ft.

* Steam is admittedto the cylinder-section B on e'ach'sid'e of'the partition or division disk G and at two diametrically opposite points, an inlet-port being provided for each side. Said inlet-ports Z are most conveniently made in pairs ina block L, set in a cavity in the cylinreason of their terminating or the curved walls of the inner wall of the cylinder have an elliptical form. The blocks L are scraped and fitted in steam-tight. They can be changed when for any reason it is desired to change the size of the ports, blocks with ports of a difierent size being substituted for those alreadyin use.

Communicating with each steam-chamber Z is a steam-pipe M, having a hand-valve N, and the two pipes M and M are connected with a main pipe from the boiler. In the main pipe is placed the governor, which may be of any desired construction. I employ and illustrate in the drawings a horizontal governor P of the spring-and-ball type, which is belted to the shaft F, a belt being run from a small pulley Q on said shaft to a large pulley R on the governor-shaft. Such a governor and so geared gives splendid results; but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to any particular kind or arrangement of governor.

It will be perceived that the location of the governor in the main steam-pipe insures uniform regulation of the steam-supply to the two sets of inlet-ports. Any adjustment that may be required of the steam supply or pressure of the two sets of ports can be effected by means of the hand-valves N.

It will be seen that steam entering the cylinder-section B through the ports Z will impinge on the blades h of the disk that is next the division or partition disk G, and then moving from said disk G will pass in an axial direction to and past the blades of the other disks of the series to the ends of the cylindersections A and A, which constitute exhaust chambers having each an exhaust-port and from which run pipes S and S, connected to a common discharge-pipe S.

The blades h have their rear surfaces or those past which the steam flows in moving in an axial direction dished or concave and their front surfaces curved convexly, so that the shape of each blade in cross-section is substantially that of a crescent. The blades are set so that their general position is inclined or oblique to the plane of the shaftaxis, the larger portion of the dished or concave surface being so inclined that the steam in passing across it will impart rotary motion to the shaft. The convex forward surfaces of the blades adjacent the edge from which the steam passes are more abruptly inclined in the same direction, so as to reduce to a minimum the retarding effect of the steam on their revolution. The blades of the disks next the partition-disk G have their edges next the latter in close contact therewith to prevent steam passing between them and said disk G, and thus compel all of the steam to move in an axial direction from the disk G across the concave inclined surfaces of the blades.

Into the spaces between the blades ofadjacent disks blades t, similar in form to the blades h, project radially inward from rings T, situated in enlargements of the cylinders, spacing-rings U being placed between the rings T. The internal diameter of these rings is the same as the diameter of the cylinders. Said rings are held from turning by having notches in their peripheries that engage ribs or projections a on the Walls of the cylinder-sections A. The bladest slant in directions that intersect the directions of slant of the blades h, and their concave or dished sides are toward the like sides of the adjacent blades 71., so that steam passing from the blades h of one disk H will engage and be directed by the blades 1'; to the blades h of the next disk H. To insure that all steam shall pass from one set of blades h to the next, the diameter of the collar between adjacent disks H is less than that of the disk from whose blades the steam passes, and the blades t, encircling said collar, are made long enough to fit said collar closely. They therefore project beyond the periphery of the disk having the blades from which the steam is passing and accordingly steam must have contact with their sides in passing and be directed to the next disk-blades h. The reduction of the diameter of the collars by increasing the space between the blades t provides for the increase in the volume of steam from expansion, and for the same purpose the disks H are successively reduced in diameter.

Preferably the blades h of the disks on one side of the partition-disk G are arranged to come in line in an axial direction with the spaces between the blades on the opposite side of said disk, so that the blades on opposite sides of the partition-disk will not receive the steam simultaneously, but successively, or one set-after another.

The outerends of the blades h, that traverse the inlet-ports, are cut away, preferably in a convexly rounded form, on their forward sides. Thus a blade passing the port will interfere as little as possible With the passage of steam to the preceding blade, and the elongated form and position of the discharge end of the port contribute to this result. The outer ends of the other blades h are curved in correspondence with the curvature of the cylinders and fit the latter sufiiciently close for skin-friction only.

As a convenient and desirable mode of attaching the blades to their respective disks and rings the latter have dovetailed notches or slots in their peripheries, and the blades have like-shaped tenons or projections that are driven into the slots and brazed. The blades being as wide as the disks or rings, as the case may be, even though the blades should become loose by accident, they could not become displaced sidewise, since they are covered or engaged on both sides.

The operation of my engine is as follows: Steam is admitted to the chambers Z and passes through the inlet-ports into the first or highpressure cylinder simultaneously upon opposite sites of the partition-disk and at diametrically opposite points in each of the two divisions of said cylinder, striking the blades of each of the pistons therein with great force and each blade in succession receiving the full pressure of the steam and no back blow or pressure to a following blade being given by reason of the position of the ports and the form of the blades. Each piston receiving the steam at diametrically opposite points is subjected to a balanced pressure, which reduces friction and wear and helps overcome vibrations. From the blades of the two high-pressure pistons the steam travels or exhausts into the spaces between the directing-blades t and is guided by them to the blades of the next or lower-pressure cylinder and from the latter to the spaces between the next series of directing-blades, by which it is guided to the succeeding pistonblades, leaving which it enters the exhaustchambers and passes therefrom through the exhaust-ports.

It will be seen that by reason of the form and position of the piston-blades the steam will act by its direct impact thereon in the direction of revolution of the pistons to re-v volve the pistons and also by its travel or passage across and in contact with the blades in an axial direction.

By reason of the duplication of the pistons and the interposition between them of the partition-disk G endwise pressure or pressure in an axial direction on the pistons is balanced by the equal pressure in opposite directions on opposite sides of said disk. This not only makes the engine run easy and avoids wear, but maintains the piston-blades hin proper relative position to the steamguiding blades 25 and obviates possibility of the former striking and cutting the latter. Should, however, there be any unbalanced pressure tending to produce endwise movement, such will be opposed by the sleevesK at the ends of the series of pistons. Though screws are used for holding said sleeves in position, the contact of the sleeves with the cylinder-heads is depended on rather than the screws to take care of any endwise pressure that mightexist. The fit of the disk G in the cylinder is such that when it is expanded from the high temperature and revolving at a high speed the joint is practically steam-tight and there is skin-friction only.

As the exhaust from both exhaust-chambers is to and through acommon pipe, the pressure in the two chambers will be the same, and thus the balanced condition of the pistons will be unchanged, and this is so whether the exhaust is to the atmosphere or into the vacuum of a condenser.

It will be noted that the reduction in diameter of the disks of the successive pistons provides for the increasing volume of steam as it expands.

The form of the forward or advancing sides of the blades is such that pressure upon them tending to oppose the revolution of the pistons is reduced to a minimum.

It will be observed that the steam acts expansivel y upon the blades of the high-pressure pistons undergoing expansion as it travels with the piston-blades from one inlet-port to the next and that it also acts expansively upon the blades of the successive low-pressure pistons. The steam in passing through the inlet-ports also expands by reason of the tapering form of said ports, such form of the ports reducing friction and increasing the velocity of the steam.

The engine I illustrate is a triple-expansion one; but of course the invention is not restricted to the adaptation of the engine to any number of expansions, as these may be varied as desired. The number of expansions to secure the greatest economy in steam will depend on the size of the engine, the size of ports used, and the steam-pressure. As the construction I have devised is adaptable to the utilization of the steam to its utmost limit of expansion, my engine is most economical.

It will be seen that my engine is balanced, double-acting, has adaptability to numerous expansions of steam, is economical of steam, and of extremely simple construction.

It is to be understood that fluids under pressure other than steam may be used with my engine, and I therefore do not restrict the scope or" my invention to a steam-drivenmotor.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-- 1. The combination of a cylinder, a partition having a diameter to fit the cylinder, a series of simultaneously-driven rotary pistons having inclined fluid-engaging blades on both sides of the partition, the latter being opposite the blades, the inclination of the blades being oblique to the piston-axis, and inlet-ports on opposite sides of the partition.

2. The combination of a cylinder made of separable sections, a series of rotary pistons comprising each a disk with peripheral blades, stationary blades projecting into the spaces between the blades of different disks, rings to which said stationary blades are attached, situated in spaces between the cylinder-sections, said spaces being formed by enlargements of the cylinder-sections.

3. The combination of a cylinder made of separable sections, a series of rotary pistons comprising each a disk with peripheral blades, stationary blades projecting into the spaces between the blades of diiferent disks, rings to ring next the disk and overlapping the slots and projections therein.

5. The combination of a cylinder, rotary pistons, apartition between the pistons, and a removable block having ports leading directly to the cylinder on both sides of the partition.

6. The combination of a cylinder, rotary pistons, a partition between the pistons, and a removable block having ports leading to both sides of the partition, the block being recessed to form a chamber common to the ports.

7. The combination of cylinders, a shaft passing through them, a series of disks on the shaft, one of which forms a partition and the 

